Only a few exam subjects remained, but those few posed a significant challenge.
One mid-afternoon, while Ren and Licia were relaxing in their classroom, a weary voice drifted across the room.
"Hehe... Law and economics are so hard..."
Nemu Altia spoke as she slumped forward, face-planting onto her desk. She usually wore a hooded jacket beneath her uniform, but the seasonal heat had become so oppressive that she had discarded her outer jacket entirely. While she had swapped her hooded top for a thinner fabric, the tool belt she always wore remained cinched around her waist.
Feeling a twinge of sympathy, Sera reached out and poked the twin hair buns that were Nemu’s trademark. Sera watched them wobble to and fro as she spoke.
"Look on the bright side. Our worst subjects ended today."
"They're over. But Nemu’s soul has vanished along with them."
"You still have exams tomorrow, so try to recover at least a little bit."
"Okaaay..."
Nemu propped her chin on the desk and let out a soft groan, her brow furrowing. "It would be so much easier if any of this were even slightly related to magic tools."
"Now that you mention it, you’ve always been good at calculations, haven't you, Altia?" Ren asked.
"Of course. You can't tinker with magic tools without all sorts of technical knowledge, so I just naturally picked it up."
"Then wouldn't many of the other subjects have been easy for you too?" Licia interjected.
Nemu gave a defiant huff. "It’s not quite like that. Just because I’m good at one thing doesn't mean the humanities subjects I hate suddenly become easy, nya."
"...I suppose that's true."
"But it’s fine! Summer break starts the day after tomorrow. I won't have to look at a reference book for ages—"
"Actually, Ren, isn't there talk that the summer break assignments might be especially heavy this year?"
"So it seems," Ren replied to Sera. "Lady Fiona mentioned that was the case when she was a second-year, so I have a feeling we’re in for the same thing."
"—Yaaaay."
Nemu, who had been holding herself up with her chin, let her face flop sideways onto the wood with a weak moan. As her hair spilled across the desk, she began frantically kicking her legs back and forth underneath it.
"It’s not fair! Even Sera, who was more exhausted than Nemu until the other day, is suddenly acting all calm and collected!"
"I just feel like I’ve done all the studying I can," Sera replied with a shrug. "All that’s left is to actually take the tests."
"That might be true, but still...!"
Sera sighed and touched Nemu’s hair buns again. "There's no point in worrying about the future. Why not just focus on enjoying the break?"
"I guess... It is boring to just sit around thinking about homework. By the way, Sera, why have you been playing with Nemu’s hair for so long?"
"It feels nice to the touch. I couldn't help myself."
"I see... Well, if you're complimenting it, I’ll allow it."
Finally regaining her spirits, Nemu stood up abruptly. She let out a sharp huff of breath and arched her back with a sudden burst of energy.
"During a long break, it's easier to spend time on magic tools, so I'll just save the assignments for later!"
"That’s the spirit," Sera said. "Besides, we’re all going to Crushera this year."
"Right! By the way, speaking of Crushera, you’re going too, aren't you, Licia?"
"Yes."
Fiona was going as well. Unlike last year, there was no Lion King Grand Festival this summer; instead, the city would host the Night of Prayers. While it was best to attend as a matter of noble responsibility, the girls were traveling as official representatives for their busy fathers. It was technically a vacation, but their schedule looked hectic enough that they wouldn't spend much time actually relaxing.
"Nemu and the others are going to Crushera to rest, but Ashton-kun especially needs to recover more than we do," Nemu said.
"True. Though, honestly, I’m already almost completely healed."
As they spoke, Vane returned to his seat and looked at Ren. He seemed to have caught the tail end of the conversation.
"Heroic Archduke Riohalde says this quite often," Vane noted.
Ren immediately recognized the name Elku—Sera’s father.
"He says that when it comes to your health, you shouldn't ignore even the smallest anomaly. There are always subtle issues you might not notice yourself."
"Vane-kun, you've been scolded by Lord Elku plenty of times since you were a kid, haven't you?" Nemu teased.
"Y-You don't have to bring that up in front of Ren!"
"Too bad! You’re the one who brought up Lord Elku in the first place!"
Sera watched Nemu and Vane bicker for a moment before turning back to Ren. "Ren, were you ever scolded like that? Maybe by the person who taught you the sword?"
"If I had to say, I think only my father ever really did that."
Ren had been raised as a knight’s son, but because he was from a remote village, there were no rigid family traditions. The relationship between father and son was closer to that of commoners; his father, Roy, didn't even like being called 'Father' or 'Sire' in a formal way.
"So the butler of the Ignat family wasn't like that?"
"Master Edgar? No. Rather than scolding me, he was more focused on thoroughly teaching me the underlying theory."
"Were you never told you were over-training?"
"If you count that, then it would be everyone at the Lion Sanctum."
"...Well, that’s because the Lion Sanctum isn't exactly normal," Sera muttered.
It was, after all, a place where elite knights casually performed training regimes that would likely kill an ordinary person.
"How about you, Licia?" Sera asked. "Have you ever been scolded during sword practice?"
"Not that I haven't... but..."
The White Saint stole a quick glance at Ren.
"Looking at me like that makes it seem like I’m the one doing the scolding," Ren said.
"N-No, that's not it... It’s just, it hasn't happened lately, but there were times in the past when you told me to rest because I was pushing myself too hard."
Sera felt a strange sense of déjà vu. She realized this conversation was drifting back toward what they had discussed after the swordsmanship exam. She watched her best friend, whose cheeks were now slightly flushed as she denied it, and offered a knowing, playful smile.
Seeing that look, Licia leaned in and whispered to Sera. "...What's with that face?"
"Nothing. I just thought, you really are a girl after all," Sera whispered back.
"It’s not like we're fighting or anything," Sera added softly.
Because they were whispering so Ren wouldn't hear, he simply watched their interaction with a confused expression. Just as he was wondering what they were up to, Licia turned a lovely, radiant smile toward him.
"Sera just said she’s going to do her best on the next exam all by herself."
"Heh... Is that so?"
"Sera-chan, are you serious!? That’s impressive!" Nemu chimed in.
"I didn't say that! Hey, I'm sorry, Licia! Stop it!"
Licia merely kept her smile. Despite how incredibly adorable she looked, Sera’s panic only grew.
"I’ll be rooting for you," Licia said. "Good luck."
"H-Hey!? You’re kidding, right!?"
The new stories brought by summer were already waiting just around the corner.
Early one morning, in the Leomel Imperial Capital.
Even by global standards, it was a magnificent metropolis where history and modern elegance blended more beautifully than anywhere else. At its heart stood the Imperial Castle, a colossal structure where, on one of the upper floors, a boy stood on a balcony.
Radius Vin Leomel stood gazing at the distant sky, lost in thought. Eventually, he turned his gaze to the capital spreading out below and spoke.
"I've been waiting."
His words were directed at the aide who had just entered the room.
"Here is the investigation report, nya."
The girl, Mirei Archayse, had been by his side since childhood. While she carried herself with the poise of a Count’s Daughter, she possessed rare cat ears and a tail—traits of the Cait Sith blood she had inherited from her ancestors.
She stood beside the chair where Radius sat and remained silent until he had finished reading the document. When he was done, the Third Prince walked back into the main room, still clutching the papers. Mirei followed closely, peering at his profile.
"—What is that man keeping from me?"
Radius’s voice was steady, but it held a flicker of stubbornness and resolve. Even in his moments of uncertainty, he remained a figure of immense dignity. He turned to her, his tone softening slightly.
"Will you continue to assist me in this?"
"Of course, nya. No one else could help with this kind of work, and no one else would even take the job, nya."
"I know. I always find you dependable."
"I am honored, nya. So, what shall we do with those materials, nya?"
Mirei looked at the report in his hand. It was packed with so much text that it would have taken anyone else hours to finish. But Radius was not anyone else.
"Just to be safe, I’ll mention that since I was investigating in secret, I didn't make any copies, nya."
"I thought as much. I'm sorry to destroy your hard work after you went to the trouble of preparing it."
"I don't mind, nya. In fact, I’d much rather these not be kept on record, nya."
"I agree."
Upon reaching the fireplace in his living room, Radius threw the report into the grate without leaving a single sheet behind. Since the weather was warm, no wood had been laid, but Mirei pulled a short staff from her pocket and gave it a light wave. Flames roared to life instantly, consuming the paper.
"It’s a bit late to ask, but how were your magic evaluations for the graduation exam?"
"I’ve never received anything less than a perfect score, nya. As for the other subjects, I handled them perfectly—except when Your Highness was making unreasonable demands of me, nya."
"My apologies. I know I shouldn't, but I find myself relying on you far too much, Mirei."
"—Yes, yes, nya."
The Third Prince opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. The Imperial Guard standing watch bowed low as the two of them walked past.
"Mirei, do you have time after this?"
"I only have work for Your Highness today, so it depends on your mood, nya."
"Then I’ll put the work aside. Come with me."
"...I will follow, but this is rather sudden, nya. Where are we going, nya?"
"The Imperial Library. There’s something I need to verify."
"Understood, nya. ...But that’s a rare destination for you, nya."
Accompanied only by the girl with Cait Sith blood, Radius left the castle. Within a few minutes of boarding a carriage, the Imperial Library came into view. Mirei finally spoke up.
"What are we looking for?"
"I’m following the trail of what that man has been researching."
Mirei understood her lord’s intentions perfectly. As they stepped into the library through the main entrance, they caused quite a stir among the guards and staff. Radius offered a casual wave of his hand and proceeded directly to the Imperial Library Director’s Office. Mirei knocked and reached for the doorknob.
"I’ve said this before, Mirei—I can do that much myself."
"And I’ve told you before that, this is my job, nya. Besides, it looks better for the image if a subordinate handles the doors, nya."
"...We're childhood friends, aren't we?"
Mirei’s expression softened at the Prince’s words. "In that case, please show me that level of concern when we aren't on official business, nya."
She turned the knob and opened the door. The Director was startled to see Radius enter but immediately knelt in a gesture of loyalty.
"There's no need for that," Radius said. "I only have a few questions."
"U-Understood! Please, take a seat!"
Radius sat in one of the chairs provided for guests. "I apologize for the sudden visit."
The Director shook his head frantically. "Not at all! How can I be of service?"
"Keep this between us. I want you to find the materials listed here."
"—Let me see."
The Director took a small slip of paper from Radius. It was clearly magic paper written with special ink. A few moments after it left Radius’s hand, the text began to fade, but the Director had already memorized the contents. Wondering what kind of high-stakes research this was, he stood up and went to his desk.
He touched a tablet-like magic tool integrated into the desk, and a vast database of the library's collection appeared on its surface. He focused his mind, navigating through the records.
"Is it a large amount of material, nya?" Mirei asked.
"I wonder. It’s likely about the same amount as four years' worth of academy reference books."
"...What? Do you intend to read all of that, nya?"
"I’m investigating. Of course I do."
No matter how many books there were, this boy would likely finish them in a heartbeat. Mirei, his aide for many years, could only offer a wry smile. However, just then, the Director let out a confused mumble.
"Not a single one? No, that can't be right..."
The Director stared at the magic tool, double and triple-checking the records. But the result remained the same. Radius didn't even twitch an eyebrow; he simply waited in silence. Mirei stole a glance at his profile.
"...Your Highness?"
"My apologies. Let me think for a moment."
After only a few seconds, the Prince addressed the Director.
"Are they all checked out?"
"Yes, Sire. Every single one, and all quite recently."
"Was there a special note regarding the borrower? For instance, an official important enough that their name could be withheld from the records."
The Director tried to remain stoic, but he hesitated. "That is..."
"I’m not asking for a direct answer," Radius said smoothly. "I know that under Imperial Law, you cannot disclose that information here. Therefore, this is merely a monologue."
"...With all due respect, Your Highness."
"It’s fine. But it seems my suspicion was correct."
The Director offered no confirmation, but his silence was as good as a 'yes.' Radius closed his eyes for a moment, sinking into a deep contemplation before a single deduction crystallized in his mind.
"I see... So that man is likely—"
The Director remained stiff and professional, unaware of the Prince's thoughts. "I apologize. If it were Your Highness, I could provide guidance once the proper formal procedures are followed."
"No, this is enough. As I said, I was merely talking to myself."
Radius stood up, appearing satisfied. As he prepared to leave, he offered the Director a calm smile.
"The fact that the books I sought are unavailable... I couldn't have asked for a better answer."
The Director didn't quite grasp the meaning, but the Prince wasn't lying.
"Will that be all for today, Sire?"
"Yes. My apologies for the intrusion."
Radius stepped back out into the quiet corridor. Once they were away from prying eyes, he spoke to Mirei.
"We need to board a magic ship as soon as possible. We're going on a trip."
"Understood, nya. Well, I’d better start coming up with excuses for your upcoming official duties right now, nya."
"There's no need. Didn't you mention a few days ago that you wanted some time off?"
"Now that you mention it... You're far too well-prepared, nya."
"Initially, I didn't plan for it to be a long-distance trip," Radius said, looking at Mirei before turning his gaze toward the far horizon.
"But if I don't move now, I’ll never be able to pull off something this reckless."
He smiled a mature, knowing smile as he spoke.